Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 4, 2026
A Soluble Tetrazolium-Based Reduction Assay to Evaluate the Effect of Antibodies on Candida tropicalis Biofilms
Published on: September 16, 2022
IN VITRO INHIBITION OF YEAST GROWTH BY MOUSE ASCITES FLUID AND SERUM
Abstract:
Summers, Donald F. (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Md.), and H. F. Hasenclever. In vitro inhibition of yeast growth by mouse ascites fluid and serum. J. Bacteriol. 87:1-7. 1964.-A nondialyzable heat-stable factor(s) present in experimentally produced mouse ascites fluid and in serum from these ascitic mice was shown to inhibit the invitro growth of several yeasts. The inhibitory activity was almost totally abolished by trypsin treatment of the ascites fluid, and was progressively diminished by repeated adsorption of the ascites fluid by heat-killed Candida albicans cells. A close relationship was shown to exist between growth inhibition by ascites fluid and concentration of free iron or nutrients in the growth medium. Increased concentration of nutrients or free iron caused diminution of inhibitory activity.
Insights
Mouse ascites fluid and serum contain a heat-stable factor that inhibits yeast growth. This inhibition is linked to nutrient and iron availability, decreasing as these increase.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Yeast infections pose a significant health challenge.
- Understanding host defense mechanisms against fungal pathogens is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro inhibitory effects of mouse ascites fluid and serum on yeast growth.
- To identify factors responsible for yeast growth inhibition.
Main Methods:
- Collected ascites fluid and serum from experimentally induced ascitic mice.
- Assessed yeast growth inhibition using various yeast species.
- Treated ascites fluid with trypsin to evaluate enzyme sensitivity.
- Performed adsorption experiments with heat-killed Candida albicans cells.
- Varied nutrient and free iron concentrations in growth media.
Main Results:
- A nondialyzable, heat-stable factor in mouse ascites fluid and serum inhibited yeast growth in vitro.
- Trypsin treatment abolished inhibitory activity, suggesting a proteinaceous nature.
- Repeated adsorption with Candida albicans reduced inhibitory capacity.
- Inhibitory activity decreased with increased concentrations of nutrients and free iron in the growth medium.
Conclusions:
- Mouse ascites fluid and serum possess factors that inhibit yeast growth.
- The inhibitory mechanism is influenced by nutrient and iron availability.
- This suggests a potential role for these factors in host defense against yeast infections.
